Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-12-23
would rather have lost twenty guineas
than have had this row hsppeH."

"But l will not associate with him, !"
saidsDick, loftilY.
The sergeant smiled. and then cast g
hostile glance ct the terrier, though the
innocent cause of the disturbance.
The worthy veteran then, after giving
Dick glass of beer ct the Bear Inn as
they ramble0 about, proceeded to give
him deal of sound adVice. concerning
how he should comport himself among
such fellows as Gutters-"the fellows 81
the new system"-after he Joined the
regiment. otherwise he would lind Life q
pandemonium on earth.
He also instructed him in sill that he
wss to reply to TIE magistr2te-the many
prelimlnaries, as to his name, age, height,
width of chest, birthplace, parents, aud
so forth; and that he was to state his
perfect willingness to serve in the R.W +.
LW.O. r 5giment for the term of six years
with the colors; to be followed at the
end Of that period, with similar tenn 10
the Army Reserve on threepence per diem
for the Injuries of life
To slI OF this Dix listened with ideas
that were vague indeed; he could not
anticipate the future. To boy Of his
age, twelve years more seemed lifetime; ;
but his spirits rose again il the bright
sunshine, and under the kindly influence
Of the sergeant, whom he deemed pro-
tector end hero, with his China and
Egyptian medals.
There was sure to be big war before
Iong-one of "the big wars that make
ambition ue''-thought Dick, and if
he only fought like some OF the youthful
heroes of whom he had read so much
letely, the British government must, N
common gratitude, make MIN q general
at least, and what would Uncle GflmshaW
think then.
OF this future, Dick felt lust then ss
sure as ever Sancho did OF his island.
In this mood he indicted at the Bear
his letter to Melsnie, and gave it to the
sergeant to stamp and post for him; and
as the former WAS in no hurry TO do this,
because of subsequent events, long
time elapsed before she received it.
After the preliminary of passing the
doctor, Dick found himself with the ser
geant under the piszzss OF the town hall,
where he regaled himself, for the first
time in his life, perhaps, with cheap CT
gar, supplied to him by HaWksley, prior
to presenting themselves before the sit
ting magistrate, who, they were inform
ed, was very busy Just then with some
poaching cases, which had made his Wor-
ship very savage, as he was great game
preseTver.
So Dick assumed an air of nonchalance
and sauntcred to and fro with the dog
close to his heels, smoking his new cigar
with doubtful pleasure, and from which
ere long, he began to feel unfortunate
effects.
The market-plsce and all the houses
seemed to career after each other like the
wooden horses in a merry-go-round.
Dick felt most decidedly sick, though
to say so; and headache came
upon him,as though his temples were split
open.
He threw away the fatal cigar; but did
so too late, and wild clutch that ne made
st Bingo rendered matters worse. The
mischief was done. He heard the voice
of the sergeant saying:
"Now is the time, young sir. Come
along"
And mechanically Dick followed him
him into spacious room with
lofty but plainly glazed windows, fur
nished with rows of seats on three sides
ike pews in church, with raised dais
Or platform on the fourth, in the center OF
which, under gilded coat OF the Royal
Arms, sat solitary magistrate with an
.ir Of grOtesque dignity, with couple OF
lelmetted constsbles near him and an old
md white haired clerk at desk in front
"For what is this boy brought here?"
asked the magistrate.
"Attestation, sir" replied the ser
,eant.
"LoGk up, boy" said the former, in |
voice which, if awful. sounded strange
Y familiar 30 Dick, who, to his conster |
lation and disgust-even amid his sick
less and dire coDfusion-found himself |
ace TO face with Plantagenet Pugwash,
ESQ, justice of the peace for the county
If Oxford, swelling on his perch, in all |
he dignity of his vast stick-up collar,
carlet tie and brown surtout, and in
hort, surrounded by all the terrors OF
country civil despotism-the last man in
he world before whom Dick Talbot,
Inder al the circumstances, could wish
o find himself.
CHAPTER XLVIn.-DICK's sCRAPE.
Now, Mr. P. Pugwash was an English
nan of 8 not uncommon kind; and it |
vas easier to appeal TO his ignorant |
,reiudices and TO his passions than to |
lis reason. Thus, after grim and tri-
lmphant stare of recognition, he began,
is s magistrate, his questions-per |
printed iorm-but in bullying and ty-
annicsl manner, sufficiently CALLING to a
10Y of spirit like Dick, who, however,
leard him as one in q dream, and his
-oice failed him, while the four corners
# the justice-room seemed to be in quick
pursuit Of each other.
"Spesk out, sir" Numbered old Pug
wash.
"The boY does not seem quite well,
ir," suggested the sergeant.
"The boys either intoxicated or sham
ming" snarled Mr. Pugwash, twitChing
p his long shirt collar.
"Shemming-not bit of it your wor-
hip; the poor boy is only sick"
"Don't dictate to me, sir! l says as
e is intoxicated. 1 did not think do
ot think that anyone but this hardened
Dung rascal would have the effrontery to
ppear before me-before me-in such
tate as he is"
am bring him again tomorrow, sir
ell be all right then, sir" ssid the
ergesrt, kindly, "the lad isn't used to
certainly"
tBut he drinks-he has brother,
habby sailor feller, and we know that all
ailors, and soldiers too, drink"
$50 do MANY that consider themselves
letter, yet amt worth powder and shot,"
aid the soldier, indignantly.
81 don't want your opinion, sergeant
Hence, siri Vigorous measures is neces-
ary berp-I must windicate the laws of
he land.n